'Rebel' presidents visit China amid trade war

The leaders of the three countries that have recently challenged Washington over their friendship with China are meeting together at the Shanghai Fair.

The president of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela is traveling today to meet the presidents of El Salvador, Salvador Sánchez Cerén, and the Dominican Republic, Danilo Medina for talks with Chinese authorities. All three countries have broken diplomatic relations with Taiwan in the last year or so.

Varela's visit comes within a few days of a visit to Panama by Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of State, Mike Pompeo who told the Panamanian media that "we want to make sure that you've got your eyes wide open on China".